Garden for the London Olympics Games

Across the UK as Green-fingered Brits ‘Garden for the Games’

From Olympic Torch-coloured marigolds and wildflowers, to red, white and blue window boxes and flowering Olympic rings, green-fingered experts and novices across the UK are getting together to bring the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to their gardens and neighbourhoods.

(PRWEB) March 03, 2012

From Olympic Torch-coloured marigolds and wildflowers, to red, white and blue window boxes and flowering Olympic rings, green-fingered experts and novices across the UK are getting together to bring the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to their gardens and neighbourhoods.

Thousands of people across the UK have already signed up to be London 2012 ‘Local Leaders’ who will bring friends, families and neighbours together to celebrate the Games. The London 2012 Organising Committee(LOCOG) has now announced ideas and expert tips on how green-fingered Local Leaders and gardening novices alike can ‘Garden for the Games’.

Gardeners of all levels of abilities and experience can visithttp://www.london2012.com/localleaders for advice on how to ‘Grow for Gold’ by filling the window boxes and hanging baskets on their street with golden marigolds, the London 2012 colours or the national colours of their favourite team competing in the Games.

Local Leaders can also find out how to grow their own patch of bee-friendly wildflowers like the spectacular golden meadows that will surround the Olympic Stadium during the Games and get tips from expert gardener Phil Turvil on how to create floral Olympic Rings or the Paralympic Agitos in their garden.

Gardeners are already taking up the opportunity to encourage local people to enjoy the Games and gardening together. To welcome the Olympic Torch-residents at Portesham in Dorset are planting golden marigolds while children at a nursery in Essex are creating the Olympic Rings out of painted tyres filled with flowers.

Schools in Burnley are planting apple trees and schools in Edinburgh are creating hanging baskets inspired by their chosen Olympic nation. London residents are creating wildflower meadows and growing vegetables in London 2012 colours for a gardening-themed sports day.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: ‘We are a nation of gardeners and Local Leaders are using London 2012 as an opportunity to get friends, family and neighbours together to brighten up their area and build on our proud gardening heritage.

‘Garden for the Games is a chance for the green-fingered to show off their skills and novices of all ages to learn about gardening and wildlife in their neighbourhood.’

As well as Local Leaders brightening up their streets and gardens for London 2012 and creating new habitats for wildlife, Local Authorities and not-for-profit organisations are bringing the excitement of London 2012 to towns, cities, parks and public spaces across the UK.

Floral Olympic Rings and the London 2012 colours and logos will be blooming in public gardens from Stafford to Princes Street in Edinburgh and in parks and public spaces from Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham to St Helens and Rugby. National Trust properties are also planning London 2012-themed gardens and activities, including at Chirk Castle in Wales, Wallington in Northumberland and Beningbrough in North Yorkshire.

Nigel Dunnett, wildflower expert from the University of Sheffield and creator of the Olympic Stadium wildflower meadows, said: ‘The beauty of wildflower meadows is that they are easy to sow and maintain over a small or large area, produce a burst of flower for the whole summer and are an oasis for bees, bugs and birds. What better excuse than the London 2012 Games to get together and make gardens and community spaces more colourful and welcoming for wildlife.’

Des Smith, Head Gardener for the London 2012 Gardens in the Olympic Park, said: ‘The Games are a great opportunity for people to get out gardening in their local community and give wildlife and the environment a boost. Whether you are planning to celebrate the Games with either the Olympic Rings, the Paralympic Agitos or backing Team GB with a red, white and blue floral display, you can get advice and support from your local garden centre or nursery and pick the most pollen-rich, bee and butterfly friendly flowers.’

Gardening expert and Local Leader Phil Turvil who has put together a list of vegetables to match the London 2012 colours said: ‘I'm excited by communities growing and sharing their tasty veg to celebrate the Games. From snug windowsills to shared gardens and allotments, there's a space for London 2012 coloured veg to harvest for family events and communal feasts.

‘These specially selected crops have enthusiastic varieties to tempt beginner and more ambitious growers. They'll race towards the cropping finish line with bright colours showing neighbourhood support for the world's athletes.”

LOCOG will also be providing advice and materials to help Local Leaders get people in their area together to line the street for the Olympic Torch Relay, hold an Opening Ceremony house party, host a Closing Ceremony BBQ, light lanterns for the Paralympic Torch Relay or run a London 2012-themed sports quiz.

Tips for Local Leaders on how they might ‘Garden for the Games’ include simple guides to: 

•      Plant your own Olympic Rings or Paralympic Agitos in your garden
•     Grow golden marigolds for when the Olympic Torch Relay comes to your street or town
•     Sow a colourful wildflower meadow - either a small strip in your garden or a large patch in a community area - which doubles as a haven for bees and other wildlife, like the golden meadows around the Olympic Stadium
•     Get creative with vegetables and flowers in the London 2012 colours
•     Grow a champions’ feast for a London 2012 party
•     Plant in team colours to support your athletes or teams training in your area. Team GB supporters will be decking their lawns in red, white and blue.

Local Leaders already getting people together to ‘Garden for the Games’ include:

•      Residents in Portesham in Dorset welcoming the Olympic Torch to town with beds of golden marigolds
•     Children at a Nursery in Maldon, Essex, painting large old tyres in the colours of the Olympic Rings and planting gold flowers to celebrate the Torch Relay coming to their area
•     Gardening Scotland running a competition for primary schools in Edinburgh to create hanging baskets inspired by one of the Olympic nations which will be displayed at their annual garden show
•     The mayor of Amersham in Buckinghamshire aiming to brighten up every kerb and available garden in Amersham in celebratory London 2012 colours
•     Tower Hamlets residents creating wildflower meadows inspired by the Olympic Park wildflower meadows
•     The ‘Edible Bus Stop’ group growing vegetables in London 2012 colours at their bus stop in Lambeth and planning a gardening sports day
•     Gransnet.com planning to encourage members to create window boxes with their grandchildren in the colour of their favourite Olympic or Paralympic team
• Schools in Burnley taking on an ‘orchard challenge’ to plant apple trees during 2012
•     Master Gardeners and Garden Organic running ‘Garden for the Games’ tutorials across their gardens.

Notes to editors: 

•     For images of the wildflower meadows around the Olympic Stadium visit:http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr163874857
•     Local Leaders are able to plant the Olympic Rings and Paralympic symbol, which are protecting symbols, in their gardens. Guidance is available is available in the Garden for the Games flower guide.
•     Local Authorities and many not-for-profit groups are also able to plant the symbols with prior approval from LOCOG

London 2012 Local Leaders 

The ‘Local Leaders’ programme, an Organising Committee first, invites people across the UK to create their own Games celebrations. The programme is open from now up to the Olympic Torch Relay and other key moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• London 2012 organisers are encouraging anyone who is looking to celebrate the London 2012 Games to sign up to be a Local Leader.
  Whether they invite three friends or their whole community, London 2012 will provide them with the tools to make their celebration one to remember.
  For people who want to be involved they just need to pick an occasion and get planning. The Local Leaders website has ideas, tools and tips to get people started planning an event.
  Ideas put forward from communities across the UK include Garden for the Games, Line the Streets for the Olympic Torch Relay, hosting a sports quiz, party at home by throwing an Opening Night In and Super Saturday, the big medal-winning weekend during the Games.
  For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.
  London 2012 Games partners:
  The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.
  LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.
  There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.
  
  
  Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9247484.htm

London Olympic Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

Carlos Arthur Nuzman participated in the panel discussion on Sport and Human Rights of the 19th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

(PRWEB) March 03, 2012

IOC ACTIVITIES
MEMBERS
Carlos Arthur Nuzman participated in the panel discussion on Sport and Human Rights of the 19th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The topic of his presentation was “Transformation through Sport”. As President of the Rio 2016 OCOG Mr Nuzman highlighted the importance of city regeneration and social transformation which he said will give Rio de Janeiro an unprecedented face lift.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has unveiled more details of the IAAF World Indoor Championships which will take place in Istanbul from 9-11 March. The event will see some 600 athletes from more than 160 national member federations taking part. The competitions in 26 event disciplines take place in the brand new 7,450-seat Atakoy Athletics Arena, Turkey’s first indoor athletics stadium which is situated next to the Sinan Erdem Dome and the headquarters of the Turkish NOC. The IAAF World Indoor Championships will mark the first time Turkey has hosted an IAAF World Athletics Series competition.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a showcase Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup event in London in May. The event, featuring 12 invitational international temas, follows a successful tournament in Dubai last December. Womens’ Rugby is one of the fastest-growing forms of the sport and both Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens make their debuts in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The London event will provide high-level competition for the teams and a platform to demonstrate the considerable performance advances in elite Women’s Rugby to a worldwide television audience, the IRB said.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has issued an open invitation for manufacturers to put forward bids for the supply of one-person dinghies at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. One hundred young sailors, aged 15-16, will compete across four sailing events, including the boy’s and girl’s one person dinghy. ISAF said it received eight strong bids from a wide range of classes and manufacturers for the Singapore 2010 YOG and hoped for a similar response this time.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has disclosed details of decisions taken by its executive committee. These included a review of the arrangements governing the organisation of the World Cups, the procedure for allocating FIG events and the issue of wild cards for the host country and continents. It also validated the list of gymnasts who have fulfilled the conditions for participating at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The respective NOCs must confirm their gymnasts before 7 March.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) Executive, including FINA President and IOC Member Dr. Julio C. Maglione, concluded a visit to London, during which they observed the 18th FINA Diving World Cup, a qualifying/test event of this discipline for the 2012 Olympic Games. Besides praising the quality of the Aquatic Centre, the FINA delegation witnessed a thrilling competition, watched by thousands of spectators who filled the venue during the seven days of the competition.

The International Federation of Motorcycling (FIM) has confirmed that several agencies are bidding for the rights to the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship 2012-2015. Bid guides and applicant questionnaires are to be sent to potential bidders by 1 March, with bids required back by 30 March. Formal presentations will be made by bidders in April.

The World Archery Federation (FITA) has signed an agreement with Japanese manufacturer Shibuya Archery to become one of its development fund partners. The deal with Shibuya, which makes a range of target sights and other accessories used in the sport, coincides with the company’s 40th anniversary. This year’s Archery World Cup Final on 22-23 September will be held in Shibuya’s home town of Tokyo, Japan.

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has issued a preview of athletes likely to be taking part in the Olympic Games in London after a series of qualifying events. The Federation said the positions held by the top eight athletes per weight category (men and women) should not evolve much more by the end of the Olympic qualifying process but that the games are still open in all categories with some strong favourites emerging from reading the world ranking list. This qualification phase will officially end on 1 May after the last Continental Championship this year. Between May and June, the IJF will announce its 20 wild cards in order to officially agree the final quota of participation at the Olympic Games.

WINTER IFS
The World Curling Federation (WCF) has unveiled more details of the World Junior Curling Championships which get underway in Östersund, Sweden on 3 March. Ten junior women’s and ten men’s teams will compete at the Z-hallen in Östersund, making it the third occasion the city has hosted this event. Curling fans around the world will be able to follow live coverage of the event on the WCF's YouTube Channel. Next year's event will take place in Sochi, Russia.

The 22nd International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Flying World Championships came to an end on Sunday, 26th February. Besides the 16 participating nations, more than 65,000 spectators on-site and 400 accredited media, millions of TV viewers in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, and Switzerland, together with the Pan-European audience on Eurosport, saw the Championships.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Mr Liu Peng (right), President of the Chinese NOC has met Mr Octavian Morariu, President of the Romanian NOC and his delegation in Beijing. The two leaders exchanged views on Sport for All, Youth Sport, Sport Science and Education and other issues of common concern, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Sports Cooperation between two NOCs.

The NOC of Israel has organised the first integration meeting of the Israeli Olympic delegation. Athletes, coaches and other staff met for two days of activities by the Dead Sea as part of the team’s preparation for the London Olympic Games. The event was opened by the President of the NOC of Israel, Mr Zvi Varshaviak and Mr Efraim Zinger, the Israeli Chef De Mission and Secretary-General of the NOC. Speakers at the event included IOC Member Mr Alex Gilady. Athletes received lectures by heads of the delegation about various aspects of the Games, including details of anti-doping regulations.

The British Olympic Association is to build an Olympic Museum in London as a permanent legacy of the London 2012 Games. The museum will open in 2014 adjacent to the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower in the Olympic park. It is expected to become a leading visitor attraction in the capital, providing a venue where people will relive the excitement, passion and drama of the Games and celebrate London's unique place as the first city in the world to host the Olympic Games three times.

ORGANISING COMMITTEES OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, unveiled a set of giant Olympic rings on a barge on the River Thames to mark 150 days until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The unveiling took place alongside the announcement of a programme of free cultural and entertainment events to be held in London during the summer.

The Sochi 2014 mascots celebrated their first birthday with the launch of new stamp sheets featuring the Olympic mascots – Polar Bear, the Leopard and the Hare. A total of 440,000 stamp sheets have been released, half illustrated with Olympic mascots alongside the same number featuring Paralympic ones. Schoolchildren in Sochi were the lucky owners of the unique stamp sheets.

The Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (NYOGOC) has moved premises. The new address is: 88 Yangtze Avenue, Greenery Expo Garden, Nanjing, 210036, China. Tel: +86-25-89661020.

Six National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have submitted applications for Candidate Cities to host the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2018. These NOCs are, in alphabetical order: Argentina (Buenos Aires), Colombia (Medellín), Great Britain (Glasgow), Mexico (Guadalajara), Netherlands (Rotterdam) and Poland (Poznań). The next deadline for the bid process is 15 March 2012, when the NOCs, Bid Committees and YOG Candidate Cities must submit the signed 2018 YOG Candidature Procedure.

TOP PARTNERS
Procter & Gamble (P&G), a Worldwide Partner of the IOC, has launched its “Thank You Mom” campaign in China and announced a far-reaching partnership with the Chinese NOC. The “Thank You Mom” campaign is the largest marketing programme in P&G’s history and celebrates the unsung hero behind every athlete. The campaign was launched at the iconic Water Cube in Beijing with Olympic gold medal-winners Lin Dan, Chen Yibing, Wu Minxia and He Winna, all of whom P&G is supporting through its partnership with the Chinese NOC.

Worldwide Olympic Partners Visa and Samsung have unveiled the official mobile payments application of the Olympic Games. The two companies demonstrated the app at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week. The development sees the two Olympic sponsors bring mobile contactless payments to London as part of their support of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The app is based on Visa's payWave technology enabling contactless payments at the point of sale and will enable Samsung smartphone owners to pay for items at the Olympic Games with their handsets. To make payments, customers simply hold the phone in front of a contactless reader at the point of purchase. Samsung said it believed the app will encourage the take-up of mobile payments.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9247900.htm

London Olympic Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

This weekend, IOC President Jacques Rogge will be in Lusaka (Zambia), where he will visit the Olympic Youth Development Centre, accompanied by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke.

(PRWEB) February 24, 2012

This weekend, IOC President Jacques Rogge will be in Lusaka (Zambia), where he will visit the Olympic Youth Development Centre, accompanied by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke.
President Rogge will be accompanied on this occasion by IOC Vice-President Thomas Bach; African IOC Executive Board (EB) members Nawal El Moutawakel and Sam Ramsamy; the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Lassana Palenfo; and the IOC member in Zambia, Patrick Chamunda.

The delegation will also visit the Fountain of Hope centre where UNICEF is running a project focusing on the rehabilitation of street children and out-of-school children and young people through sport. This project is part of the “International Inspiration” programme, the official legacy programme of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The IOC President will also meet the President of the Republic of Zambia, Michael Sata.

MEMBERS
Mario Pescante has announced that he is stepping down from his position as IOC Vice-President. This resignation will come into force at the Olympic Games in London this summer.

Andrés Botero Philipsbourne has been appointed as Director of Colombian sports institute Coldeportes. On the occasion of this appointment, the members of the Colombian NOC Executive Board paid tribute to him through an audio and video montage retracing his career as an athlete and sports leader.

COMMISSIONS 

As announced last week, the 5th IOC World Conference on Women and Sport, chaired by Anita L. DeFrantz, ended with the unanimous approval of the Los Angeles Declaration by more than 800 delegates from 135 countries. This declaration aims to promote parity between men and women in sport and to use sport as a tool to improve women’s status throughout the world. Organised jointly by the IOC, the United States Olympic Committee and the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, the theme of this Conference was “Together Stronger: The Future of Sport”.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
On 20 February, 64 boxers and 14 boxing coaches started their journey to London 2012 by taking part in the first International Boxing Association (AIBA) “Road to London” training camp. This camp, which will be held in Cardiff (Wales) until 10 March, is part of AIBA’s “Road to Dream” programme which allows athletes and coaches from developing countries to participate in two-week training camps. AIBA will invite all the boxers qualified for the 2012 Games to a second camp which will take place in Cardiff from 5 to 24 July.

The 122nd Aerobic Gymnastics (Level 3) Academy took place recently in Cali (Colombia). This was the first time that this event had taken place on the American continent. Thirteen coaches from seven Hispanic member federations of the Pan-American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) took part. The delegates included Hardy Fink, the Director of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Education and Academy Programmes.

The first International Swimming Federation (FINA) School for Swimming Officials of 2012 was held in Tunis (Tunisia) on 11 and 12 February. Some 30 participants listened to lectures given by Søren Korbo, FINA Technical Committee Honorary Secretary, and Olugbenga Lawal, FINA Technical Committee member. The objectives of this programme include increasing the number of officials, enhancing the quality of officiating and creating uniform interpretation and application of rules across all aquatic disciplines, thus raising the quality of refereeing. The next classes will take place in St Petersburg (Russian Federation), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Johannesburg (South Africa).

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced the names of the 42 technical delegates who will officiate at the London 2012 triathlon competition. These officials come from 25 different countries, which is a new record (three more countries than for the previous Games in Beijing).

WINTER IFS
We have learnt through an International Ski Federation (FIS) press release that, for the first time in the history of skiing, Turkey will host a World Championship skiing competition. From 19 to 26 February, the world’s best Nordic junior athletes and under-23 cross-country skiers will compete in the Turkish resort of Erzurum, which hosted the Winter Universiade last year. A total of 35 teams have been entered for this international competition. Furthermore, the “Marc Hodler” Trophy, which is named after the former FIS President, will be awarded to the most successful team across the three disciplines of cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the German NOC Thomas Bach, who is also an IOC Vice-President, recently presented the Sport for All Trophies in Berlin (Germany). The “Stars of Sport” trophy was awarded to the Märkische Turngemeinde Essen-Horst association for its “United Sports” programme for children and young people. This association shows how sport, linked with social education, can bring together people from different cultural backgrounds in an exemplary way. The SV Ahorn 1910 sports club, represented by its President, Klaus Leonhardt, also received a trophy for its integrative approach, offering mixed training groups for the disabled and the able-bodied.

We have just learnt that, at the Plenary Session of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), which was held at the end of December, COC President Liu Peng handed over the 2011 IOC “Sport and Social Responsibility” Trophy to the Beijing Sport University, represented by its President, Yang Hua. Also featuring on the agenda of this session were the NOC’s work in 2011 and preparations for the Games in London.

Last week in Cali, the “Building the Dream for London 2012” project was launched. The objective of this project is to familiarise the Colombian delegation to the London 2012 Games with the English language and culture. It includes numerous joint initiatives with the Colombian NOC, the British Embassy and the British Council. The personalities attending the launch ceremony included Ambassador John Dew and NOC President Baltazar Medina. Furthermore, the NOC and the Colombian Association of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation Faculties (Arcofader) signed an agreement, joining forces for research and innovation training.

In Singapore, the Tote Board organisation has been awarded the 2011 IOC “Sport and Social Responsibility” Trophy. Teo Chee Hean, the Deputy Prime Minister and President of the NOC of Singapore, presented the trophy to Bobby Chin, Chairman of Tote Board, in the presence of Ser Miang Ng, IOC Vice-President. Tote Board has made a great contribution to sports development, building sports facilities and financing sports programmes.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9225884.htm

Paralympics New Venue Completed - 2012 London Olympics Latest News

Paralympics New Venue Completed -2012 London Olympics Latest News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 11, 2012 -- Recently, London 2012 Olympics made announcement regarding the completion of Wheelchair Tennis venue, Eton manor.
For the largest Paralympics event ever to be held, approximately 4200 athletes from across 140 countries will be gathered. 

The magnificent Paralympic Movement was the stunning invention of Dr Ludwig Guttmann in the year 1948. He started the event with a wheelchair archery competition held at Stoke Mandeville hospital.

Eton Manor is positioned in the north of Olympic Park and designed mainly for the Paralympic competition. At the Paralymic Games, 112 Paralympic athletes will contest for six medals for the Wheelchair Tennis.

During the Olympics Games, this venue will also offer temporary facilities for Aquatics training. After the completion of Games, the venue will be transformed into multi-sport facility for the local community.

The LOCOG Chair Seb Coe stated, “With just 200 days to go to the Opening Ceremony on 29 August, we’re in great shape for what should be a spectacular summer of Paralympic sport. Wheelchair Tennis has proved to be one of our most popular tickets, and the venue at Eton Manor will be a fantastic setting to showcase some truly world-class athletes.”

Register to our sign up section and you would be provided with emails and newsletters related to 2012 London Olympics at www.londonolympicstickets.com! For latest updates and news, just log on to London Olympics Tickets and you would enjoy a remarkable experience! 

Source: http://www.free-press-release.com/news-paralympics-new-venue-completed-2012-london-olympics-latest-news-1328941325.html

World's Best Cyclists Arrive in Olympic Park

With one day to go until the start of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup presented by Samsung, the world’s best track cyclists have arrived in London and begun training in the London 2012 Velodrome.

London (PRWEB) February 15, 2012

With one day to go until the start of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup presented by Samsung, the world’s best track cyclists have arrived in London and begun training in the London 2012 Velodrome.

Download images of one of the training sessions in the Velodrome

Five Olympic champions and 16 world champions, including Olympic gold medallists Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton will head up a world class field for the event which takes place from 16-19 February and doubles up as a London 2012 test event.

340 riders from 48 nations and 18 trade teams will compete in the four day competition as they get the opportunity to test the Velodrome in competitive conditions. Alongside Hoy and Pendelton, the Great Britain team has more strong medal contenders including Jason Kenny, Geraint Thomas and Ed Clancy. The competition will also feature current Sprint World Champion Anna Meares (Australia), Guo Shuang (CHN), Maximilian Levy (GER) and Robert Forstemann (GER) who is currently ranked World Cup number one in Sprint and Team Sprint.

The event is vital for the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) as they test operations for the Games. Key testing elements include the track, athlete facilities, results, timing and scoring systems, as well as how up to 1000 workforce and volunteers work together less than six months before the Games.

The opportunity for the world's best track cyclists to test the Velodrome in competitive conditions has contributed to the strength of the field, with many riders eager to compete in the London 2012 venue. With more than 25,000 spectators over six sessions set to enjoy the action and atmosphere, the event will be a real taste of what to expect in the Velodrome over the summer.

Debbie Jevans, LOCOG Director of Sport said of the event: "We are excited to be able to have such a prestigious competition with the world's best track cyclists as our test event prior to the Games. The standard of athletes is excellent and with the event counting towards Olympic qualification we have no doubt that the atmosphere in theVelodrome will match the level of competition on the track. With over 1000 volunteers and workforce at the event as well as 350 athletes and television coverage, this is will be one of the biggest events that we have delivered as part of our test event programme”.

Pat McQuaid, President of the UCI said: “The stakes will be extremely high in London this weekend. First and foremost, it is the final of the World Cup series, with athletes vying for the overall title. This London event is also one of the last occasions to gain points towards the UCI Olympic Track Ranking, so important for those nations still trying to secure starting spots for London 2012. And of course, as a London 2012 test event, this weekend is a vital test for the organisers and for the athletes wanting to get a feel for the Velodrome. With all these factors combined, I am in no doubt that the final round of the 2011-2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup presented by Samsung will be unforgettable.”

Liz Nicholl, UK Sport Chief Executive said: “UK Sport invests £3.5 million of Lottery funding a year into the bidding and staging of major events on home soil, and the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in London will be the 12th cycling event we have supported since 2007. The opportunity to compete at the Olympic venue, in front of a large and enthusiastic home crowd, will be invaluable for our athletes, coaches and support staff, who will take vital experience from this as they head towards their first Home Games.”

The iconic Velodrome, with its distinct double-curved roof which has been designed to reflect the geometry of the cycling track, will host Olympic and Paralympic indoor track cycling events on the 250 metre track during the Games. After the Games the Velodrome will form part of a facility which will include a BMX Track, one-mile long road cycle circuit, 6km of off-road mountain bike tracks and storage for over 300 bikes. It will also include a café and a 360 degree concourse level offering views over the Olympic Park and the London skyline.

The UCI Track Cycling World Cup presented by Samsung is supported by UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme. The schedule and full lists of teams and riders can be viewed on the UCI Track Cycling World Cup presented by Samsung rider list.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Notes to editors:

About the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI):
Founded in 1900, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body of cycling. Headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland, the UCI is the International Federation of Cycling uniting the National Cycling Federations of 178 countries.

UK Sport - World Class Events Programme:
UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme distributes approximately £3.5 million of Lottery funding each year to support the bidding and staging costs of major events on home soil, as well as providing specialist support to organisers. Over 100 events hosted by at least 35 different towns and cities will have been supported from 2007 until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These competitions will have attracted around 30,000 athletes and provided opportunities for over 27,000 officials and volunteers to gain international sporting experience and develop key skills ahead of London 2012.

About British Cycling:
As the national governing body for cycling, British Cycling is responsible for governing the development of the sport in England and is also the home to the GB Cycling Team which won 34 medals at the 2008 Beijing Games making it Britain's most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport. With London 2012 on the horizon, British Cycling has a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire mass participation in the sport and together with BSkyB, its principal partner, aims to get one million more people cycling regularly by 2013. To facilitate this increase in participation, British Cycling manages a range of coaching qualifications and courses, from grassroots level to elite, and runs the Go-Ride development programme for young people to support their progress in the sport. It also underpins and co-ordinates the organisation of over 3,000 sporting and recreational cycling events every year. British Cycling has over 40,800 members who enjoy a range of benefits from retail discounts and special offers, to legal support and insurance. All membership revenue is invested back into the sport. The organisation also receives Lottery and Exchequer funding via UK Sport and Sport England.

London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9199855.htm

London Olympic News 28th January

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